Isha, to be released in theatres on December 12, is coming from distributors Bunny Vas and Vamsi Nandipati. The horror thriller is helmed by Srinivas Manne. Starring Thrigun, Akhil Raj, Hebah Patel, Siri Hanmanth, and Babloo Prithveeraj in pivotal roles, the film is going to present a set of themes like friendship.
In this interview, director Srinivas Manne talks about the highlights of Isha.
My debut directorial, 'Katha', was acclaimed. Genelia D'Souza also received the Nandi Award for Best Actress for it. Due to a variety of personal reasons, I unexpectedly took a break from directing. I have a very good relationship with (producer, presenter) KL Damodar Prasad. I made this film with the support he gave me.
Since I am passionate about cinema, I have always stayed abreast with current trends. I have learned from watching Korean and Hollywood films during the intervening years. Filmmaking has become advanced, be it in terms of lighting, sound design or other aspects. If the story is strong, a film can succeed even if the technical aspects are a little uneven. However, technical quality is also very important to deliver greater impact.
God has showered his blessings on our project. We scouted for good locations, but just a day before the shoot was supposed to commence, a severe cyclone swept away the entire location. When I was dejected, I discovered better locations a few kilometers away. I feel the cyclone was a blessing in disguise. Around the time of the film's release, Bunny Vasu garu and Vamsi Nandipati garu came on board. More than anything, I believe in God's blessings on Isha.
The movie is an ambitious blend of horror and a comprehensive look at life's ultimate themes: birth, death, and inherent divinity. It powerfully captures the relentless balancing act of Creation/Nature. This is a film with incredibly strong, multifaceted content. Isha has shocking horror elements but the last 15 minutes are universal in nature (Bunny Vasu has described the ending as philosophical). Everything that is there in the film gets rounded off in the final emotional segment.
This film is already being hailed as a genuinely terrifying experience. Rather than manufactured scares, the movie’s many shocking elements are inherently frightening, guaranteeing that viewers will be deeply disturbed. Caution is advised for sensitive audiences. Beyond the intensity, the story is rich with themes of friendship, human emotions, and philosophy, tackling everything from superstitions to spirits and ghosts.
There is nothing alien about Isha. We have dealt with an emotion that everyone can connect with. I can't reveal it at this point, but what this film shows is something we all hear about all the time. We tend to ignore it in everyday lives.
The film has no esoteric paranormal thriller. The thrills are entirely based on our beliefs in the divine. There is a layer up above we all have an inkling of. Even our Puranas talk about these topics. Human soul is immortal. Reincarnation has been proven/experienced across the world. Just because I haven't been to America, I can't say that I don't believe in its existence. The very fact that there is something named 'aatma' means that it exists.
